Buffalo Creek
Buffalo Creek is an earth dam located in Park County, Colorado, built in 1979. It carries a Low hazard potential classification.
About Buffalo Creek
The primary purpose of Buffalo Creek is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Ranch Of The Rockies (private). It impounds the Buffalo Creek near Hartsel.
The dam stands 33 feet tall and stretches 850 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 25 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 270 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 8 square miles. Completed in 1979, the structure is 47 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. The most recent inspection on record was 09/29/2022.
At 33 feet, this dam is taller than 78% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Colorado |
| County | Park |
| Nearest City | Hartsel |
| River/Stream | Buffalo Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.98334, -105.95557 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 33 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 850 ft |
| Year Completed | 1979 (47 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 270 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 270 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 145 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 25 acres |
| Drainage Area | 8 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 882 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | RANCH OF THE ROCKIES |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 09/29/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CO02239 |
| Federal ID | CO02239 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |